Dry concentrator.



Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

G. D. HARRINGTON.

DRY CONCENTRATOR.

APPLIGATION PILED Nov. 11, 191s. 1,1 1 9,950.

3fm 52 W Glpi/Mmmm HL NURRIS PETERS CO. PHOfU-LITHLL, WASHING ION. l) Y'G. D. HARRINGTON.

DRY CONCENTRATOR.

APPLICATION FILED 11011.11, 1913.

Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

@LW/hmmm GLEN D. HARRINGTON, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

DRY CONGENTRATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 8,1914.

Application filed November 11, 1913. Serial No. 800,391.

To all whom t may concern i Be it known that I, GLEN D. HARRINGTON, acitizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Denverand State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Dry Concentrators; and I do declare. the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to thecharacters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification. r

My invention relates to improvements in dry concentrators `or machinesof the class adapted to save the precious metallic values when foundeither in a free state in placer dirt, or in the form of concentrates inpulverized ore or rock. The invention is how ever, more especiallyintended for use `as a placer machine or for the purpose ofsavingprecious .metal values in a free state.

In connection with my inrproved machine, I employ a blast of air whichis delivered at one extremity of a box or receptacle and escapes at theopposite extremity thereof, the receptacle being otherwise closed. Theinterior construction of this receptacle is such that the materialpassing therethrough is obliged to take a vertical or up and downzig-Zag course, whereby the said material which is carried by an aircurrent of suitable strength. is caused to encounter a number ofpartitions in succession, which partitions cause the material to fall,whereby the particles of greatest specific gravity, namely the preciousmetal values are caused to settle'in ritled boxes, which are readilyremovable through openings in the sides of the box, which are normallyclosed by glass plates or doors and thereby permit the operator toobserve the process of concentration. The partitions or means forinterrupting the passage ot the material through the box are formed bydevices which are 'secured both to the top and bottom of the box. Thedevices which are suspended from the top of the box form a plurality ofarches. into which the devices or abutments which are secured to thebottom of the box project, thus forming an approximately zigzag passagethrough the box for the purpose stated.

An important feature of my improved construction consists in the factthat the suspended devices are adjustable, whereby the material as itpasses through the box may be caused to pass downwardly to a greater orless extent as may be desired, dcpending upon the character of thematerial under treatment. It is exceedingly important in machines ofthis character that provision be made for a considerable range ofadjustment with reference to the downward passage of the material inorder that the values which are of greatest specific gravity, may bebrought into engagement with the rniles at the bottom of the apparatus,to the best advantage. Furthermore, my im proved construction is formedin knockdown shape, or so that it may be readily taken apart and packedin small compass, whereby it may be easily carried from place to place,as by pack animals if desired.

My improved construction is believed to be thoroughly practicable as adry placer machine, or concentrator, and is therefore believed to fill along-felt want, since there are many sections of the country where goldbearing material exists in large or at least considerable quantities,which it is impossible to treat by reason of the fact that it isimpracticable to obtain water for the purpose, as is required in theordinary systems of concentration, whether the latter process is carriedon in connection with placer dirt or pulverized quartz.

Having briefly outlined my improved construction, I will proceed todescribe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanyingdrawing, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In this drawing: Figure l is a side elevation of my improved dryconcentrator. Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken through the box orconduit through which the material under treatment must pass and inwhich the values are saved. This section is taken through the center ofthe machine, and the parts are shown on a larger scale than in Fig. 1.Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view of the bottom of the concentrator,showing the abutments secured thereto. Fig. l is a transverse sectiontaken through the box on the line 4 4, Fig. 2, looking toward the left.Fig. 5 is a detail view, showing the topof the concentrator, andillustrating the 1nanner of securing the partition members which arepartly broken away in this view, which is on the same scaleapproximately as Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Fig. 6 is a detail view of one of thesuspended partitions. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view, partly in section onthe line 7-7, Fig. 4:, looking toward the left, the parts being shown ona larger scale. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of one side of the box,illustrating the manner of securing and removing the transparent platesor doors, with which the apparatus is equipped. ln this view, the partsare shown on a larger scale than in any of the other views. Fig. 9 is asection taken on the line 9-9, Fig. 8.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate a box considered in its entirety andcomposed of side walls 6, and top and bottom walls 7 and 8. To thesesidewalls are exteriorly secured both at the top and bottom, angle bars9, the horizontal fianges 10 of these bars forming means for connectingthe topv and bottom walls 7 and 8, through the medium of screws 12 whichare passed through lateral projections or extensions with which thewalls 7 and 8 are provided, these extensions abutting against thehorizontal flanges of the angle bars, which flanges are providedk withthreaded perforations registering with openings formed in the top andbottom wallextensions. By means of this peculiar oonstruction, itbecomes practicable to separate the walls of the machine, to facilitatethe transportation of the latter from one field of operations toanother.

Nithin the conduit or chamber inclosed by the walls of the structure,are located a number of partition members, which are respectivelyattached to the Vtop and bottom walls of the machine, and which will nowbe described in detail.

Suspended from the top of the machine are a number of members 13 and 14.The members 13 are secured to the top wall as shown at 15 and aresuitably spaced to cooperate with the members 14. The members l13 arecurved forwardly and downwardly and to their lower extremities aresecured flexible parts 1G forming valves which when acted on by a blastof air, entering the box at the opening 17, are forced against thepartitions 14 to form a tight joint and prevent the material frompassing upwardly between the two sets of suspended partition members.Each partition member 14 consists of a stationary part 18 which issecured to the top of the boxv as shown at 19, and extends rearwardlyand downwardly therefrom, its greater portion occupying an inclinationof approximately 4:5 degrees. 1t is evident however, that thisinclination may be varied or regulated at will or as circumstances mayrequire or dictate. Slidably mounted upon' this stationary part 18 is apart 2O which. overlaps ythejipart 1S considerably and is slidablyheldin coperative relation therewith by vmeans of rods 21, whoseextremities engage openings formed in the opposite sides of the box, thesaid rods being held in place in any suitable manner, and readilydetachable in conformity with the knock-down feature of the structure.As the only object of these rods is to perform the function of guides inholding the parts 20 in proper cooperative rela- 'f' tion with the parts18, it is evident that the construction is in no way limited by thisspecific feature as other guide means may be employed. The parts 20extend below the lower extremities of their cooperating parts 18, andparts 23 are hingedly connected to the parts 21 as shown at 22, theparts 23 being adjustable by virtue of this hinged connection, throughthe medium of toggles 24C composed of links 25 and crank arms 26 whichare pivotally connected together as shown at 27. The links are pivotedto the parts 23 as shown at 28. The extremity of each crank arm, remotefrom the'pivot 27 is made fast to a rod 29 whichis journaled in theopposite side walls of the box as shown at 30. This rod as illustratedVin the drawing', is square in cross section between the journals 30 andengages openings 'of counterpart shape formed in the cranks 26 which arereinforced as shown at 31.

There are preferably two sets of toggles 24 connected with and operatedby each rod 29 which extends beyond the opposite side walls of the boxand is equipped with milled l.

heads 32 to facilitate adjustment. The rods are also provided outside ofthe side walls of the structure with toothed wheels 33 adapted to beengaged by locking arms 3e which are exteriorly vpivoted .to the sidewalls' of the box as shown at 35. rlfhe extremities of these arms remotefrom the pivot are hook-shaped as shown at 36,

whereby -they are adapted to engage the y spaces betweenthe teeth of thewheels 33. yWhen in 'locking vengagement with the wheels, these arms areheldin place by pins V37 ywhich engage openings formed in the side wallsof the structure and are readily removable. It is evident that anysuitable 'means maybe employed for locking the rods 29 'in the desiredposition of adjustment. Some of the possible adjustments of the parts 23are illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing. At the extreme right of thisview, the' part 23 is so adjusted that its free extremity occupies itslowermost position;

Vwhile the adjacent corresponding part to ward'the left is adjusted toraise its free extremity considerably above the position of the samepart farthest to the right; finally the'part 23 farthest toward the leftin this view-is adjusted to raise its free extremity still'fartherfromthe bottom of the box, the

said free extremity, however, in this event,

being brought nearer to the forward face of one of the abutments 38secured to the bottom of the box as hereinafter explained more indetail. It is evident that these adjustments may be readily eected fromthe outside of the machine by turning the rods 29 through the medium ofthe milled heads 32. l/Vhen properly adjusted, the hooked arms 34 andthe removable pins 37 are brought into requisition for maintaining theparts in the adjusted relation. Furthermore, the parts 20 are adjustableon the stationary parts 18 through the medium of the crank arms 39pivotally connected with lugs 40 with which the plates 20 are equipped.This pivotal connection is formed by passing pins 41 through slots 42formed in the lugs 40, the pins being properly connected with the crankarms 39. These crank arms are mounted on rods 43 which are journaled inthe side walls of the box as shown at 44, the parts of the rods betweenthe journals being polygonal, preferably square, in cross section, whilethe adjacent extremities of the crank arms 39 are provided withcounterpart openings through which the rods pass, the crank arms beingreinforced as shown at 45 for the purpose.

There are preferably two crank arms 39 for each part 20, as indicatedin` Fig. 4. -The extremities of the rods 43 extend beyond the journals44 exteriorly, and are equipped with milled heads 46 and toothed wheels47 which are adapted to be engaged by arms 48 pivoted at 49 and securedin interlocking relation in the same manner as the arms 34 heretoforedescribed. By turning the rods 43, the parts 2O may be raised andlowered, whereby a corresponding movement is imparted to the parts 23,the latter being independently controlled by the toggles 24 asheretofore explained.

Between each two stationary parts 18, is located a part 13, whoseflexible element 16 presses against the plate 20 to form a tight jointas heretofore explained. The parts 18 and their coperating parts 13,(see Fig. 2) eoperate to form arches, and into the spaces of thesearches project abutments 38which as illustrated in the drawing, arecomposed of sheet metal bent to the desired shape, the said abutmentsbeing secured to the bottom of the box by screws 4. As illustrated inthe drawing, these abutments are composed of rearwardly located inclinedparts 50 and forwardly located vertically disposed parts 51. By theemployment of these abutments 38, the material is compelled to take thezigzag course through the box indicated by the arrows.

Attention is called to the fact that the members 13, and 18, as well asthe parts 20, 23, 16 and the abutments 38 extend transversely the wholedistance between the two side walls 6 of thebox, thus leaving no avenueof escape except through the Zig-zag or irregularly shaped passageheretofore explained.

The foremost abutment 38 o1' that located farthest to the left in Fig.2, coperates with the adjacent partition composed of the parts 18, 20and 23, to complete the passage for the material through the box justbefore the tailings escape at the forward extremity of the box. Thisabutment contracts the opening at the discharge extremity of the box ordiminishes its height to the distance between the top of the abutmentand the top wall of the box. This space or opening, however, may befurther contracted by means of a plate 52 which is made fast to a rod 53which is journaled in the side walls of the box and controlled from theoutside thereof in the same manner as the rods 29 and 43, whereby theplate 52 may be adjusted for regulating the capacity of the dischargeopening of the box through which the tailings escape.

In the rear of the rearmost abutment 38, or that farthest to the right(see Fig. 2) is located a small tray 55 provided with riffies 56. A.similar tray 55 is located between each two of the other abutments 38.These trays rest upon the bottom of the box and fit closely in placewhen the apparatus is in use. Each tray is located below the part 23 andconsequently directly beneath the lowest portions of the path of thematerial through the box. The function of these trays is to catch theprecious metal values carried by the placer material under treatment.These trays occupy positions on the bottom of the box directly belowopenings 57 which are normally closed by transparent plates 58 thelatter being exteriorly applied to the opposite side walls 6 and held inplace by retaining devices 59 which are secured by screws 60. Byloosening these screws, the plates 58 may be detached and the trays 55removed, and emptied during the operation of cleaning up after theapparatus has been in use for the required length of time. The riflies56 within the trays may vary in depth as may be required, or as may befound most efficient for the purpose intended.

During the operation of my improved structure, air under pressure isemployed. In the drawing (see Fig. 1) a conventional device 61representing a blowerisillustrated. A conduit 62 leads from this blowerto the opening 17 at the upper part of the rear end wall 63 of thestructure. This opening as illustrated in the drawing, is surrounded bya collar 64 adapted to receive the forward horizontally disposed part 65of the conduit 62 into which the material for treatment is fed from ahopper 66 through the medium of feed rolls 67, or in any other suitablemanner. During the operation of the strueture an air current of suitablestrength is passed through the conduit 62 and the material to be treatedis simultaneously deli vered in properly measured volume into theportion 65 of the air conduit. This material is taken by the air currentand carried through the box 5 causing the material to take the zig-Zagor irregular path heretofore described. During this operation, as thematerial strikes against the partitions or interruptions consisting ofthe partitions and abutnients, the precious metal values having thegreatest specific gravity, are caused to settle between the riffles onthe trays and by the time the material escapes at the forward extremityof the structure, it consists of tailings only, having been completelydeprived of its precious metal values. lt is evident that the length ofthe structure may be continued to any extent desired and that as manytraysmay be employed as may be found necessary in order to impoverishthe material of its metallic values.

l prefer to build a machine in comparatively small units, whereby thelatter may be multiplied to obtain any capacity which may be desired.

Attention is called to the fact that my improved construction may beemployed with water if desired. ln other words, the construction isadapted for use with water as well as with air. If employed with water,it would be necessary to-utilize a suitable head to give the water thedesired pressure in order to maintain the gangu'e or waste material insuspension, and effect the necessary separation on the principle ofdifference in specific gravity. In the event that water is employedunder the necessary pressure, the construction may be operated withequal success as with air or as a' dry machine. Emphasis however, islaid upon the dry apparatus in this application vfor the reason that inmost districts where valuable placer materia-l exists, there is ascarcity of water, to such an extent as to make a practicable drymachine more economical to operate. t must be understood however, thatthe appended claims cover the construction, whether employed as a dry orwet apparatus.

In order to make the parts of the machine readily detachable for knockdown purposes, the two opposite sides are connected by transverselyarranged rods whose opposite extremities are reduced and threaded wherethey pass through the sides of the box, nuts 69 being applied to theiropposite ends. By virtue of this construction, the rods are shoulderedwhere they engage the inner surfaces of the sides of the box thussuitably spacing the latter. Y

Attenti on is called to the fact that in addition to the angle bars 9,through the medium of which the top and bottom walls are connected withthe side walls of the box, a similar bar-9 is applied to the rearendwall 63 of the structure, the bottom wall being secured thereto bymeans of screws 4 'in the same manner as the top and bottom walls aresecured to the siderangle bars 9.

` Having thus described my invention, what l claim is:- y

l. In a concentrator, the combination of a box vhaving partition memberssuspended from the top of the box to form arches, and abutments attachedtothe bottom of the box and extending into the spaces formed by thearches to form a passage substantially Zig-Zag in shape, adjacentportions ofthe suspended partition members being respectively slidableand equippedl with flexible parts engaging the slidable parts to formtight joints.

2. A concentrator, comprising a box having a feed opening at oneextremity, and a tailings discharge opening at the opposite extremity,the box being intermediately equipped with top and bottom partitionmembers staggered to form a passage substantially Zig-zag therethrough,one set' of partition members having movable parts, and flexibleportions engaging the movable parts to form a tight joint. j f

3.. A concentrator, comprisingupper and lower partition members,staggered to form a passage substantially zig-Zag through the box, oneset of members having parts slidably adjustable, and flexible partsengaging the slidable parts to form a tight joint.

il. A concentrator, comprising upper and lower partition members,staggered to form a passage substantially Zig-zag through `the box, oneset of members having parts slidably adjustable, and iexible partsengaging the. slidable parts to form a tight joint, and means operablefrom the outside ofthe box for actuating the slidable parts.

5. A concentrator, comprising upper and lower partition members,staggered to form a passage substantially zig-zag through the box, oneset vof members having parts slidably adjustable, and flexible partsengaging the slidable parts to form a tight joint, the

slidable parts having lower portions hingedly connected therewith.

6. A. concentrator, comprising upper and lower partition members,staggered to form a passage substantially Zig-Zig box, one set ofmembers having parts slidably adjustable, and flexible parts engagingthe slidable parts to form a tight joint, the slidable parts havinglower portions hingedly connected therewith, and means` operable fromthe outside of the box for actuating said hinged parts. I 7. In aconcentrator, the combination-of a box having partition memberssuspended from the top thereof to form arches, and

abutments attached to the bottom Vof said through the lll@ box andextending into the spaces formed by the arches to form a passagesubstantially zig-zag in shape, the space between the abutments beingnormally empty, whereby they are exposed to the action of the air andthe material passing through the box, the said abutments composed ofrearwardly located, forwardly inclined parts and forwardly locatedvertically disposed parts, substantially as described.

8. In a concentrator, the combination of a box having partition memberssuspended from the top thereof to form arches, abutments attached to thebottom of the said box and extending into the spaces formed by thearches to form apassage substantially zig-zag in shape, the spacebetween the abutments being normally empty, whereby they are exposed tothe action of the air and the material passing through the box, the saidabutments composed of rearwardly located, forwardly inclined parts andforwardly located vertically disposed parts and the box being providedat the lowest parts of the passage with riflles for retaining thevalues.

9. In a concentrator, the combination of a box having partition memberssuspended from the top thereof and abutments attached to the bottom ofsaid box, the space between the abutments being normally empty, wherebythey are exposed to the action of the air and the material passingthrough the box,

I the said abutments having their forward parts perpendicular to thebase of the box for the purpose set forth.

10. In a concentrator, the combination of a box having partition memberssuspended from the top of the box, abutments attached to the bottom ofthe box, the space between the abutments being normally empty, where bythey are exposed to the action of the air and the material passingthrough the box,

the said abutments having their forward parts perpendicular to the baseof said box and riflles located on said base between the abutments, forretaining the values, substantially as described.

l1. In a concentrator, the combination of a box having partition memberssuspended from the top of the box, and abutments attached to the bottomof the box, the space between the abutments being normally empty,whereby they are exposed to the action of the air and the materialpassing through the box, the said abutments having rearward partsinclined forwardly from the base of the box and forward partsperpendicular to the base of said box, for the pur pose set forth.

l2.` In a concentrator, the combination of a box having partitionmembers suspended from the top of the box, and abutments attached to thebottom of the box, the space between the abutments being normally empty,whereby they are entirely exposed to the action of the air and thematerial passing through the box, the said abutments having rearwardparts inclined forwardly from the base of the box and forward partsperpendicular to the base of said box, for the purpose set forth.

13. In a concentrator, the combination of a box having partition memberssuspended from the top of the box to form arches, the

jacent portions of the suspended partition members being respectivelyslidable and equipped with flexible parts engaging the slidable parts toform tight joints.

In testimony whereof I ailix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

GLEN D. HARRINGTON. Vitnesses:

A. J. OBRIEN, A. EBER'r OBRIEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

